I Survived EuroBasket 2009

From September 7th until September 20th there was basketball being played everyday, all day long. Shots were blocked, opportunities missed, tears shed, but it was all worth it. I witnessed 2 weeks of some of the most passionate and prideful basketball my eye has ever seen.

I survived France barely qualifying to make the tournament but then advancing to the quarterfinals.

I survivedIsrael coming so close to beating Croatia and Macedonia but ultimately coming up short.

I survived watching Lithuania painfully lose every game but one, and then watching their fans stay and watch anyways for the love of the game.

I survived watching Vassilis Spanoulis fly around the court and trying to move my eyes as fast as he is moving with the ball in his hands.

I survivedGreat Britain almost coming back to beat Spain and almost knocking them out of the tournament.

I survivedSpain’s 23-0 2nd quarter run against Lithuania in the qualifying round that became the turning point of their EuroBasket

I survivedPoland showing up and playing their hearts out in front of their hometown fans.

I survived multiple devastating rim rockers from Timofey Mozgov.

I survivedBig Sofo finally shedding some weight and showing us the real potential he has.

I survivedTurkey looking like the best team in the tournament and then losing 4 games in a row.

I survivedMilos Teodosic showing everyone that he is Serbia’s closer and isn’t scared of any shot late in games.

I survived the 96-92 overtime extravaganza that was the Semi-Final game between Serbia and Slovenia.

I survivedSpain showing everyone in Europe and the world that when Pau Gasol is playing with fire they are impossible to stop.